History Main / KabukiSounds

Kabuki is one of several varieties of traditional Japanese theatre, dating from the Edo period. Like other Japanese theatrical styles, it uses music and musical sounds to help tell the story. Not surprisingly, a number of these sounds have found their way into {{Anime}}.

The most common Kabuki sounds to be heard in anime are:* ''Tsuzumi''. A drumlike instrument that makes a "pon!" sound. In anime it is frequently employed to punctuate a joke or humorous moment, often in combination with a man's voice making an "Ooowoooh!" sound (also from Kabuki). A very traditional instrument, its sound is considered emblematic of traditional Japanese culture as a whole. Although they sound alike, do not mistake the "pon!" of a ''tsuzumi'' for the noise of TheThingThatGoesDoink.* ''Okawa''. A drum that sounds a lot like a woodblock when struck. In anime one hears either one strike or two quick strikes.

To learn more about Kabuki, visit [[http://www.kabuki21.com this site]].

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Kabuki is one of several varieties part of traditional Japanese UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}ese theatre, dating from the Edo period.period (17th century as the Western world records time). Like other Japanese theatrical styles, it uses music and musical sounds to help tell the story. Not surprisingly, a number of these Several instruments/calls have become strongly identified with the theatre performance itself, even sounds have found their way into {{Anime}}.

The most common Kabuki sounds that originated in other parts of Japanese theatre.

Sounds meant to be heard in anime are:evoke Japanese traditional performances: * ''Tsuzumi''. A drumlike instrument that makes a "pon!" sound. In anime it is frequently Frequently employed to punctuate a joke or humorous moment, often in combination with a man's voice making an "Ooowoooh!" sound (also from Kabuki). A very traditional instrument, its sound is considered emblematic of traditional Japanese culture as a whole. Although they sound alike, do not mistake the "pon!" of a ''tsuzumi'' for the noise of TheThingThatGoesDoink.* ''Okawa''. A drum that sounds a lot like a woodblock when struck. In anime one hears either one strike woodblock. One or two quick strikes.

To learn more about Kabuki, visit [[http://www.kabuki21.com this site]].strikes are usually all that's used. * ''Yoo~ooh''. A call to announce a character, often accompanied by a dramatic {{zoom}} or SuperSentaiStance.

** Similarly, the [[Series/SamuraiSentaiShinkenger Shinkengers]]' [[TransformationTrinket Shodouphones]] make kabuki noises after being used to draw magical kanji in the air.** Also [[Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger Utsusemimaru]] Theme also featured kabuki noises when he first morph into ''[[Main/SixthRanger Kyoryu Gold]]''.

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** Similarly, the [[Series/SamuraiSentaiShinkenger Shinkengers]]' * ''Series/SamuraiSentaiShinkenger'': Shinkengers' [[TransformationTrinket Shodouphones]] make kabuki noises after being used to draw magical kanji in the air.** Also [[Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger Utsusemimaru]] * ''Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger'': The Utsusemimaru Theme also featured kabuki noises when he first morph morphs into ''[[Main/SixthRanger Kyoryu Gold]]''.

* Used in the "Sushi-Go-Round" minigame in ''VideoGame/PokemonStadium'', and "Clear Cut Challenge" in ''Pokémon Stadium 2''

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* Used ''VideoGame/PokemonStadium'': ** Uses __ in the "Sushi-Go-Round" minigame in ''VideoGame/PokemonStadium'', and from the first installment. ** "Clear Cut Challenge" featured __ in ''Pokémon Stadium 2''

** Also from SNK, at least half of the ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' soundtrack is entirely played with traditional Kabuki instruments, in keeping with the general mood of the game (especially where Kyoshiro is concerned, since he's a Kabuki actor). [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7oNxnlg7oI Behold.]]

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** Also from SNK, at * At least half of the ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' soundtrack is entirely played with traditional Kabuki instruments, in keeping with the general mood of the game (especially where Kyoshiro is concerned, since he's a Kabuki actor). [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7oNxnlg7oI Behold.]]

* ''{{Okami}}'' uses a lot of the drum sounds, as well as several Kabuki-style shouts.* [[VideoGame/StreetFighter E. Honda's]] theme. He's basically the first ever Kabuki-Sumo wrestler. You can hear some ''tsuzumi'' sounds in Ryu's theme as well, though he doesn't have the whole kabuki thing going.* The various musical themes for the eponymous mask of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' invove eldritch, discordant yet somehow still Kabuki-esque sounds.** WordOfGod actually states that the music in Majora's Mask was based on Chinese opera.

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* ''{{Okami}}'' ''{{VideoGame/Okami}}'' uses a lot of the drum sounds, as well as several Kabuki-style shouts.* [[VideoGame/StreetFighter ''VideoGame/StreetFighter'': E. Honda's]] theme. He's Honda's theme, because he's basically the first ever Kabuki-Sumo wrestler. You can hear some ''tsuzumi'' sounds in Ryu's theme as well, though he doesn't have the whole kabuki thing going.* The various musical themes for the eponymous mask of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' invove eldritch, discordant yet somehow still Kabuki-esque sounds.** sounds. WordOfGod actually states shares that the music in Majora's Mask was based on noises were inspired by the similar Chinese opera.

* ''VideoGame/GanbareGoemon 2'' for the UsefulNotes/SuperFamicom features the "Ooowoooh!" sound on the "area clear" screen, and also has a kabuki-themed stage where ''tsuzumi'' appear as floating springboards.

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* ''VideoGame/GanbareGoemon 2'' for the UsefulNotes/SuperFamicom features the "Ooowoooh!" sound on the title screen and the "area clear" screen, and also has a kabuki-themed stage where ''tsuzumi'' appear as floating springboards.

* ''Ganbare Goemon 2'' for the UsefulNotes/SuperFamicom uses the "Ooowoooh!" sound on the "area clear" screen, and also has a kabuki-themed stage where ''tsuzumi'' appear as floating springboards.

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* ''Ganbare Goemon ''VideoGame/GanbareGoemon 2'' for the UsefulNotes/SuperFamicom uses features the "Ooowoooh!" sound on the "area clear" screen, and also has a kabuki-themed stage where ''tsuzumi'' appear as floating springboards.

* In ''[[VideoGame/TheAngryVideoGameNerdAdventures The Angry Video Game Nerd II: ASSimilation]]'', both of the Nerd Gaiden [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caF1EMkjHsg stage]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cWyjs51BI8 themes]] use an "oowoooh" sample.

* The 2006 {{OVA}} {{Reboot}} of ''MahouSenseiNegima'' has used ''tsuzumi'' strikes to punctuate Setsuna's more {{samurai}}-like moments.* The anime ''{{Naruto}}'' makes use of Kabuki sounds in background themes. Often taken up a notch with Jiraiya, who not only dresses like someone right out of Kabuki theatre, but also has a habit of announcing himself using common mannerisms. He also moves like a Kabuki actor, most notably the hopping step and slow hand wave.

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* The 2006 {{OVA}} {{Reboot}} of ''MahouSenseiNegima'' ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' has used ''tsuzumi'' strikes to punctuate Setsuna's more {{samurai}}-like moments.* The anime ''{{Naruto}}'' ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' makes use of Kabuki sounds in background themes. Often taken up a notch with Jiraiya, who not only dresses like someone right out of Kabuki theatre, but also has a habit of announcing himself using common mannerisms. He also moves like a Kabuki actor, most notably the hopping step and slow hand wave.

** Also from SNK, at least half of the ''SamuraiShodown'' soundtrack is entirely played with traditional Kabuki instruments, in keeping with the general mood of the game (especially where Kyoshiro is concerned, since he's a Kabuki actor). [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7oNxnlg7oI Behold.]]

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** Also from SNK, at least half of the ''SamuraiShodown'' ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' soundtrack is entirely played with traditional Kabuki instruments, in keeping with the general mood of the game (especially where Kyoshiro is concerned, since he's a Kabuki actor). [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7oNxnlg7oI Behold.]]

* Plugging in four controllers in to a [[NintendoGamecube Gamecube]], holding the Z button down on all of them, and starting up the console will play a tsuzumi accompanied by the "Ooowoooh!" noise instead of the normal start up sounds.

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* Plugging in four controllers in to a [[NintendoGamecube [[UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube Gamecube]], holding the Z button down on all of them, and starting up the console will play a tsuzumi accompanied by the "Ooowoooh!" noise instead of the normal start up sounds.

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